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My first set of jars, ever, are colonizing. So far, out of 12 jars, 0 show signs of contams, and all 12 show signs of colonizing. I set 8 jars, 2 jars of each strain (4 strains were used) inside the incubator. I then put 1 of each strain i had left over inside my desk. Once the jars are fully colonized, we will be able to tell how much of a difference incubation impacts colonization.
This jar has been in the incubator for 5 days @ 84-86 degrees.
This jar has been in a desk for 5 days @ 70-77 degrees. Side by side, the jar that was in the incubator is definitely more colonized than the one that has been sitting in my desk.

Here is my incubator setup. I bought this incubator awhile back for my Bearded Dragons. So far, it works great for incubating jars. I think you could probably fit close to 20 half pint jars in the incubator
The sponge is sitting in water at the bottom of the incubator. This keeps the humidity up.
My big happy family.

--------------------When I use the name "I", I'm talking about my friend of a friend named "Ivan".

nice setup, i like the plexi glass makes checking on them easier...but you are keeping the jars in total darkness right? I'd highly recommend throwing a blanket over that, so that you dont get pinning on partially colonized jars.

Humidity might not affect the mycelial growth of the jars, but unless the water was very pure, the condensation that would build up on the outside of the jars could lead to mold/bacteria growing on the sides of the jars. Thats what I think, i might be wrong tho?? Just an idea.

Quote:SixCee said:TrippinSpinners I can't wait for the day when you get your first mushroom.

Ya, me too. U'll be the first to know.

Quote:kaliedoscopic said:Humidity might not affect the mycelial growth of the jars, but unless the water was very pure, the condensation that would build up on the outside of the jars could lead to mold/bacteria growing on the sides of the jars. Thats what I think, i might be wrong tho?? Just an idea.

The humidity isn't high enough for condensation to form. The water at the bottom is just a precaution so the jars dont dry out.

Quote:shirley knott said:i'm confused, though: appearance and polyfil tells me that is birdseed. so why up to the top in half pints? no shaking for you? or is that hawks formula?

It's regular birdseed. This is my first time. I didn't mean to fill the jars with so much birdseed. It works tho. Just is a little bit harder to shake up.

--------------------When I use the name "I", I'm talking about my friend of a friend named "Ivan".

Quote:Gigabyt3r said:I just wondered how the jar at 84-86 degrees colonized much more than the non incubated one?

Incubated jars will grow slightly faster, but you increase chance of losing the jar to bacterial contamination.

Quote:I thought we discovered that its best at room temp?

For most people, it is. If you are absolutely confident that your jars are completely sterile except for mushroom mycelium, you have perfect inoculation technique, and you don't mind messing with the troubles that using an incubator comes with (overheated jars, temperature swings, thermostat issues, additional electricity to power them, etc. etc. etc.) and colonizing your jars 1-2 days earlier (on average) is worth it, then by all means, use one. Most people find out that they're more trouble than they're worth.

IMO, there are far more beneficial projects in this hobby that your time could be consumed by.

I did a teat recently and turned off my big Incubator because I saw no difference between jars kept at 77-78 in the dark Incubator vs. jars at 65(room temps) with indirect day light. In fact I think the jars with the light were a tad bit more colonized. So instead of waisting electricity on the incubator I shut it down. That was my informal study anyway. Screw the incubator, it's not worth it.